Loving Your Neighbor

I read in the newspaper recently about a 66 year old man who had seriously injured his knees. He was unable to walk, had surgery, and had to stay in a rehabilitation center. His inability to function within his two-story home kept him from being able to go home.

A neighbor had purchased their home from a handicapped person. When they heard that their elderly neighbor’s recovery depended on his ability to return to a comfortable, easily accessible home, they offered their handicapped friendly ranch home to the man and his wife. The neighbor didn’t have a problem knowing that the man’s recovery could take several weeks or several months. The elderly couple was reluctant at first but eventually accepted the offer. On the day the man was discharged, the neighbors exchanged homes.

The article continues relating how these two couples and other neighbors, who joined in, worked through a very difficult situation together.

Isn’t this an awesome story of loving and caring? The couple, who offered their home didn’t think twice about doing what they did! They said that they just felt it was the right thing to do!

Scripture Thought for Today: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 29:30-31 (NIV)

Attitudes to Live By

Monday: Attitude of Kindness
Tuesday: Attitude of Self-control
Wednesday: Attitude of Humbleness, Patience, and Gentleness
Thursday: Attitude of Doing Good
Friday: Attitude of Content

Attitude of Doing Good

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT)

Many times we can’t do anything about our circumstances. However, we can do something about our attitudes and moods while we are moving through hard times. Honoring God by doing what He has told us He wants us to be doing should be on our hearts through good times and bad times.

Scripture Comment: Paul says to do good to everyone and do it without getting tired. Perseverance is a challenge especially during hard times. But you are not to give up on doing good because your burden has become heavier in your personal life! Doing good during hard times when cash is less, time to commit is uncertain and sacrifices seem overwhelming is a daunting task. Be encouraged to keep doing good for as Paul says, you will be blessed if you don’t give up. Be creative in the thinking of things you can do: share your home for a potluck dinner with friends, help an elderly neighbor with yard work, open a door for someone or exchange encouraging small talk with a stranger when opportunities come your way. You need to direct good deeds to everyone but especially to your fellow Christians, “the family of faith” as Paul calls them. You will be blessed if you take every opportunity to do good for others. You need to remember this when you get worn out doing good things! You need to persevere through every opportunity you are given. Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Keep going! Keep going! Hold on to what is good whatever your circumstances!

Pray: Knowing that you are “to do good” not “try to do good”, what are your challenges of doing good? Talk it over with God. He will help open your eyes to opportunities.